The Corporate Soul Movement

Welcome to the Corporate Soul Movement

To join take the pledge below. If you’d like your website or blog to appear on the Corporate Soul blog roll leave a link in the comments section. Please include a short descriptive phrase of 5 words or less to appear when folks hover over your link.

I pledge

That I’ve read Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul (click here)
Not to leave my soul in the car (on the train, plane, bus etc) when I go to work.
To be in the company of my own soul at all times.
To be in the soul of my own company at all times.
To be aware of and respect other souls

For Corporate Members:

To bring soul to all that we do
To develop a culture that invites people’s souls to work

For coaches and consultants:

To courageously name the importance of soul, essence, purpose and passion as appropriate even if I feel like I’m sticking my neck out

Charter members

Terry Seamon @tseamon

Jane Perdue @thehrgoddess

Jennifer Miller @JenniferVMiller

Ava Diamond @feistywoman

Susan Mazza @SusanMazza

Dale Lawrence @eaglesflite

Ruth Ann Harnisch @RuthAnnHarnisch

Paul McConaughy @MiNutrition

Scott Downs @scottdowns3

August Turak @augustturak

Laura Daley @laurajdaley

Ivvo hen @ideathinker

Gwyn Teatro @GwynT

Thomas Waterhouse @Encouraging

Doug Edgar @compasscoaching

Jake Hillman @GoDriveMC

Monica Diaz @monedays

Wendy Campbell

Louise and George Altman – Intentional Workplace @intentionalcomm

Marion Chapsal @marionchapsal

Tanveer Nasser @TanveerNasser

Read Chapter 1 of the Corporate Soul Series featuring an interview with Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, The Sole of Corporate Soul

50 Responses

Comment from ava diamond
Time: March 10, 2010, 12:53 pm

Heart and Soul of Leadership

Comment from Jennifer V. Miller
Time: March 10, 2010, 1:26 pm

Anne,

I’m so delighted to be a Charter Member– you worked hard crafting this idea.

http://jennifervmiller.com

My words: “Creating Positive Workplace Dynamics”
Jennifer V. Miller´s last blog ..Leadership Carnival: Academy Awards Edition

Pingback from Twitted by JenniferVMiller
Time: March 10, 2010, 1:35 pm

[...] This post was Twitted by JenniferVMiller [...]

Comment from ava diamond
Time: March 10, 2010, 7:31 pm

I am honored to be included as a charter member. Ever since reading Bolman and Deal’s “Leading with Soul” back in the mid nineties, I’ve been passionate about aligning vision, mission, values and leadership to ensoul organizations. I’m excited to see where this leads!

My five words would be:
“Leadership with heart and soul”

Trackback from uberVU – social comments
Time: March 11, 2010, 12:08 pm

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by bizshrink: You can join the CORPORATE SOUL MOVEMENT at http://bit.ly/soulmovement – @thehrgoddess; @JenniferVMiller; @seamon are in. R U?…

Comment from Terrence Seamon
Time: March 11, 2010, 10:20 pm

Anne,
I’m happy to be a charter member. The soul of corporations is the collective soul of all the people who belong to the company. And those souls are under extreme pressure these days in our “do more with less” culture. I trace the problem back to our faulty notion that a company’s purpose is to make a profit. I understand that that is the predominant paradigm that most subscribe to. But it’s false and dangerous. I’ve learned (from Kenny Moore) that the word “company” comes from com (with) + pane (bread), in other words, “to share bread together.” Think about that. What does that say to you about what a company could be?
Terry
Terrence Seamon
Terrence Seamon´s last blog ..The Baby and the Bath Water

Comment from Anne
Time: March 11, 2010, 10:30 pm

Terrence – I hope lots of folks read your comment. The source of the word “company” is a substantive contribution to this discussion. “Substantive” is one of the highest compliments I can pay. Thank you.

Comment from Susan Mazza
Time: March 12, 2010, 10:03 am

Count me in! I so appreciate the stand you are taking for bringing the soul front and center in the business conversation.

Thanks for sharing the source of the word company Terry. I also appreciate your observations.

Please do include my blog in the Corporate Soul blog roll http://www.randomactsolfeadership.com “Everyday Leadership Through Everyday Actions” is what I would normally put but if you want something more specific to soul how about “Bring Your Self and Soul to Work”
Susan Mazza´s last blog ..Do You Take Chances or Risks?

Pingback from Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul | Germane Insights
Time: March 12, 2010, 2:27 pm

[...] You can become a member of the Corporate Soul Movement – Just Click Here [...]

Pingback from TwittLink – Your headlines on Twitter
Time: March 12, 2010, 8:54 pm

[...] Tweets about this great post on TwittLink.com [...]

Comment from Spencer
Time: March 14, 2010, 10:55 am

This is an outstanding idea!

I work as a change agent in a large company and often times find myself being a S.W.A.T. team negotiator rather than a paid facilitator of change. It is disheartening at times. And in the face of such broken spirits and souls among the mechanics I do my best to share how my tools will not only help them compete better but transform their lives at home. I always come at change from a much deeper level. I care about the person. Some don’t get that and I hope a few do. I am sincere and interested in their well being. I lead by asking them to bring their art to work.

Please ad my motivation, inspiration, and leadership blog http://www.mondaymorninggold.com to your cause. Thank you for caring.
Spencer´s last blog ..

Comment from Dale
Time: March 14, 2010, 3:10 pm

Awesome! Count me in — I am pledged!

For blog roll: http://soaringwitheagles.net – Soar High: Leadership, Vision, Collaboration or something like that
Dale´s last blog ..The 3 Little Leaders & The Big Bad Boss

Comment from Scott Downs
Time: March 17, 2010, 7:44 am

Thanks for standing up for these ideas, Anne. I agree with you. I subscribe to the principles in the pledge. My Intention and Attention are focused on making related ideas come alive in my own work. I look forward to sharing ideas and taking action in partnership with you and others.

Comment from Anne
Time: March 17, 2010, 3:23 pm

Scott – So glad to have you as a member. All members can have their blog listed on Germane’s home page, so please let me know
1. If you’d like to do so, and if yes
2. Sent the url and words that describe your blog when people hover over it

Members can also volunteer to write a guest blog about a client engagement or business matter related to corporate soul. If you have something relevant let me know.

Ideas in the hopper include T-shirts and corporate sponsor(s). All ideas are welcome.

Comment from Paul (MiNutrition) McConaughy
Time: March 20, 2010, 9:18 am

I pledge.

In the world I want to live in …as the corporation improves so does the world.

Comment from Fay Feeney
Time: March 21, 2010, 1:53 pm

Thanks for the invite. Much appreciated to be in this community.

http://www.riskforgood.com
Connecting corporate directors to 21st Century Business: performance with purpose.

Comment from Beth Schecher
Time: March 21, 2010, 2:14 pm

This is one of the best ideas and sites that I have come across. Thank you so much for putting it together.

It is my hope that the ‘openness’ of the web 2.0 will help people to be more transparent in their lives and business, and consequently, behave in a way that they are proud of. If we continue to try to work and live without our soul being upfront, we will continue to struggle. Seems silly, doesn’t it.
Beth Schecher´s last blog ..Do I need a personal Facebook profile in order to set up a Fan Page for my business?

Comment from Bart Rietkerk
Time: March 21, 2010, 7:17 pm

Can we come up with some practical rules or tests to see if corporate behaviour is compliant with “the corporate soul movement”? Sort-of ten commandments. Like:

Thou shall always value long term development over short term profit.

Purpose: to become practical after making your pledge. How do we really achieve something? Rules that may help us in doing that

Comment from Evy Brown
Time: March 22, 2010, 7:05 pm

Anne,
So glad you elevated this topic to a higher level, soul mate! Could have a nice line of products, like t-shirts that we soul source…:)

Seriously, look to whistleblowers for support on this topic. They risk their livelihoods because they have soul.
Best,
Evy

Comment from Anne
Time: March 24, 2010, 8:25 am

Bart – Your suggestion is great food for thought as we move forward. I’m dreaming about where this goes – corporate sponsors? conference? The latter would be a great venue to work on the Soul Commandments. Please keep your suggestions coming.

Comment from Bart Rietkerk
Time: March 28, 2010, 6:11 pm

And lets not let the ‘commandments’ obscure the reason why we have them and become a goal in themselves. They are there because of higher purpose. There Biblical examples to illustrate that

Comment from Laura Daley
Time: April 4, 2010, 6:56 pm

It is so much fun to have the idea of a corporate “soul” being talked about “out loud.” And I’m excited to hear from Terrence the origin of the word company–I’m in for sure!

Comment from ideathinker
Time: April 4, 2010, 8:02 pm

This is a really good initiative and a reminder to everybody working I guess, maybe also as important would be to “make sure no one looses their soul at work”
ideathinker´s last blog ..ideathinker: Check out the pledge at "The Corporate Soul Movement" |http://bit.ly/aAkcDq by @bizshrink

Comment from Anne
Time: April 5, 2010, 7:33 am

Dear Idea – Welcome and pleased to have you share your ideas here where people are holding onto their souls and making sure others to so as well.

Pingback from The Corporate Soul Series | Germane Insights
Time: April 11, 2010, 10:41 pm

[...] onto the page and Fixing the Hole in the Corporate Soul appeared. Your responses sparked the Corporate Soul Movement and this series. I look forward to your comments and invite you to contact me about writing a [...]

Comment from Nina Fogelman
Time: April 12, 2010, 12:57 pm

It’s my soul that started my company and I am so delighted to see that I am not alone. It can get scary out here for me as I am driven by pure passion which often causes me to walk in faith and know that the rewards will be great. I am about bringing the soul back into travel via my passion for one country. It keeps me on the sidelines of the Travel Industry because I find that their first question usually has to do with price, commission, money money money. My mission/vision is a bit diferent so nice that I can read this. Thanks for your Soul!

Comment from Anne
Time: April 12, 2010, 5:45 pm

Nina – Thanks so much for commenting and for working with soul. If and when I travel to Peru I’m choosing Ancient Summit as my travel company. Please join the tribe at Corporate Soul Movement and include a comment about the phrase you would like people to see when they hover over the link to your website. Also send your twitter i.d. if you have an account there. You membership in the Corporate Soul Movement will be announced on twitter so that soul-ful folks interested in travel to Peru will be aware of your company.

Comment from Gwyn Teatro
Time: April 13, 2010, 7:07 pm

Anne, Thanks so much for pointing me in this direction! I’m delighted to sign on because I have long believed that people need to go to work with a feeling of belonging and purpose to be happy and make their best contribution.

Having read your post, I can’t help but feel that this is a good place for me to learn and to make a contribution.

My Blog is called “You’re Not the Boss of Me”
URL: http://www.gwynteatro.wordpress.com
If I were to describe it in five words it would be:
“A Leadership salad without the dressing”

Thanks again!

Comment from Anne
Time: April 13, 2010, 8:27 pm

Gwyn – I’m delighted that you came by for a visit and are “signing up.” Would love to have you write a guest blog highlighting an example of corporate soul, its absence and/or your thoughts on the subject. You blog description – “A Leadership salad without the dressing” is wonderful. I may call you someday for help with a title or two.

Comment from Mike Henry Sr.
Time: April 14, 2010, 3:30 pm

Anne, wonderful idea. I’m in. My passion is (and will be) on working toward the most beneficial “soul.” The greatest benefit stems from a “soul” that has the greatest enduring value. All missions aren’t equal. All “good” missions aren’t necessarily equal either. My understanding of the soul is finding the highest good that you do and focusing on that without compromise. When that commitment comes from “who you are,” you’re a character-based leader. That’s why the Lead Change Group’s mission is “Applying character-based leadership to make a positive difference.”

Mike…
Mike Henry Sr.´s last blog ..Let’s Start Some Global Warming

Comment from Anne
Time: April 14, 2010, 7:40 pm

Welcome Mike. I look forward to collaborations between the corporate souls and lead change characters.

Comment from Thomas Waterhouse
Time: April 17, 2010, 6:43 pm

I’m “in” Anne! What a wonderful concept, and what an incredible group of folks to be with. I welcome being on the Corporate Soul blog roll as http://www.SimpleEncouragement.com. My words… Simple Encouragement.

Pingback from Zappos: How the Corporate Cobbler Finds the Right Souls (Chapter 1 Part 2) | Germane Insights
Time: April 23, 2010, 5:47 pm

[...] To become a member of the Corporate Soul Movement click here. [...]

Comment from Doug Edgar
Time: May 3, 2010, 8:19 pm

Anne, this is so important. Thank you (and Gary Hamel) for putting into words something I’ve been feeling for a long time. Count me in and please include my web site http://compass-strategies.ca.

Comment from Wendy Campbell
Time: May 4, 2010, 12:44 am

Good work everyone and so much needed in our world today!

Comment from Monica Diaz
Time: May 5, 2010, 5:54 pm

I’m all for SOUL in everything I do and corporate work needs it even more! Please count me in and let me know if there is anything else you need of me to further your movement! There is soul in Mexico! Please include my blog in the roll: http://www.e-quidam.com/theblog
Monica Diaz´s last blog ..Which is the Interruption?

Comment from Jake Hillman
Time: May 5, 2010, 6:11 pm

Hi Anne,
It’s always so great to meet others with a similar mindset and passion (essence) as myself. I’m excited to integrate “soul” into my job with my employer and my personal business. It’s so great to be able to take such an amazing concept and put it into action, both personally and professionally.
Jake

Comment from Anne
Time: May 5, 2010, 6:21 pm

Welcome aboard the Soul Train Jake. Your blog roll will appear on Germane’s home page soon. If you have a twitter id you’d like me to include please let me know what it is.

Comment from Anne
Time: May 6, 2010, 3:18 pm

So pleased you want in Monica. We need more souls like you. Perhaps a trip to Mexico is in order.

Comment from Gina Bearne
Time: May 12, 2010, 10:24 am

Wonderful to see the beginnings of a groundswell in moving to a future rooted in essence, joy, meaning, SOUL! Count me in.
At a personal level, I have started an exploration of the place of JOY. I have worked much of my life in environments where I have facilitated people in moving on from positions of pain. I am now searching for a way to shift focus, with an emphasis on facilitating people in accessing their capacity for joy.
Finding ‘The Corporate Soul Movement’ has reinforced my sense that the time is right and that, somewhere, this a way for me to translate this impulse into how I make my living.
I hope perhaps some of those drawn to your themes may feel inclined to participate in my exploration by contributing their thoughts at http://www.passagetojoy.com
Gina Bearne´s last blog ..Language, meaning and our internal story-teller

Comment from Anne
Time: May 16, 2010, 8:00 pm

Gina – Your comment was in the spam file so my apologies for not responding sooner. I will add your site to the blog roll soon. I’ve also purchased the domain name corporatesouls.com and will eventually move the movement over there. Thanks for raising your voice.

Pingback from Souls are Paid to Learn at Zappos: Chapter 1 Part 3 | Germane Insights
Time: May 17, 2010, 9:10 am

[...] Please join us at the Corporate Soul Movement. [...]

Comment from Paul Marshall
Time: May 25, 2010, 8:29 am

Glad I stumbled across you all. I have just started a series of posts based around a document written in 1968 entitled “Guiding Principles and Objectives in Employee Relations” that seemed to me to have more soul than many similar documents that exist today.

In fact I was part of a conversation today where the key questions was essentially “what happened to the soul of this organisation?”.

My blog is at http://samuraiguy.wordpress.com and my words are “finding my own Way”

I am looking forward to being a part of this network and am heartened to hear others express my longing for something just like this and my sense of coming home in finding you all walking the same path.

Comment from Anne
Time: May 25, 2010, 6:04 pm

Paul – Thanks for signing up to be a Corporate Soul. I viewed the document on your site & also love the fact that it was printed on an old typewriter. It’s worth taking a look at. As they say the more thinks change the more they stay the same. Sound principles of work whether under the umbrella of employee relations or employee engagement, are timeless. Curious how people in the conversation answered the question “What happened to the soul of the organization?”

Comment from Paul Marshall
Time: May 26, 2010, 7:46 am

Anne – There was no answer that people were prepared to give voice to but I feel that the answer is “profit”.

Our Government is currently proposing a resources tax and it is generating a lot of discussion. I heard a radio program that examined Norway’s approach (they apparently have a sizeable tax and a principal enshrined in law that what ever is negotiated must be in the best interests of the Country) and when the big oil companies were asked why they hadn’t left they said this:

We stay because we figured out a way to make enough money to make it worthwhile. Not huge profits but enough.

In other words, the profits are acceptable and the people of Norway benefit from the removal of their natural resources.

I think we are all uncomfortable with a Company making huge profits at the expense of the Country. Especially when the Country assumes much of the environmental costs and risks. The problem arises when you have worked in a company that has changed while you have stayed true. The result is that the “soul” often take their piece of the magic and move it somewhere else leaving soul-less Companies to continue on in the relentless search for ever larger profits.

That is why I think this forum is so timely.
Paul Marshall´s last blog ..looking backwards – Part 2 – first principles

Comment from Louise & George Altman
Time: June 7, 2010, 7:17 pm

Anne – thanks so much for the heads-up on this wonderful movement. There are so many moving comments from the members, but I want to highlight Paul McConaughy’s comment – “In the world I want to live in …as the corporation improves so does the world.”
This has always been our primary motivation in our work. It’s our firm belief that the restoration of the human spirit in the workplace will transform every life of society and culture. So as we work soul by soul to support others on that journey, it is great to have more company along the way.
Happy to pledge our support!
http://www.intentionalworkplace.com

Comment from Marion Chapsal
Time: June 11, 2010, 6:34 am

Why did I wait so long before joining? Maybe I was like Alice and searching for the right time, the right size to get in the rabbit hole!
What a wonderful place to be Anne, in such good company.
I’m very grateful for all this work and dedication you’ve put together a magnifique project.
In French Soul is “Ame”…
One more soul in your Corporate Soul Movement!
Amie Marion
Marion Chapsal´s last blog ..Empathy Is The Invisible Hand

Comment from Tanveer Naseer
Time: June 11, 2010, 5:26 pm

With so many of my friends here, and with such a compelling mission, how could I not be a part of this as well. At the beginning of this year, I wrote a piece called “I’m More Than Just A Number” which addressed the issue that companies need to look at their employees as not simply cogs in the corporate wheel, but the very heart of what keeps their company healthy and alive.
Tanveer Naseer´s last blog ..What Twitter Can Teach Leaders About Effective Communication

Comment from Lisa Boesen
Time: August 6, 2010, 9:10 am

My passion is integrating the “C” word, compassion, into the customer and employee experience. Compassion begins with awareness and understanding of our customers, colleagues, and employees.
Thank you for the the courage to using the “S” word. Our soul is our life-force, our raison d’etre.

Lisa Boesen’s recent blog: http://www.lisaboesen.com/2010/05/26/be-a-gardener-of-people/#comments

My less than five words:
Care, Communicate, Connect with Soul

Comment from Anne
Time: August 7, 2010, 2:21 pm

Thanks Lisa and you are a welcome Corporate Soul

Work-Life Flow

Site search

Newsletter Registration

Subscribe to this Feed

Upcoming Events:

The Corporate Soul Movement

Welcome to the Corporate Soul Movement

Charter members

50 Responses

Comments or Questions? Share Your Views

Anne's Recommendations

Categories

Corporate Soul Movement